Teacup Heat Diffuser

ABSTRACT

A heat diffuser for a teacup is provided. The diffuser is specific to traditional teacups that do not have handles and are made from cast-iron, bone, china, clay, ceramic, or similar materials. The diffuser includes multiple insulated fabric fingers that cradle the teacup to diffuse heat away from the individual holding the cup. The fingers are created by layering one or more fabric pieces and one or more insulating components. The diffuser lays flat on a surface, such as a saucer or table, until the individual engages the diffuser by lifting the diffuser and the cup causing the diffuser to cradle around the cup between the user&#39;s hand and the teacup. The diffuser is made to absorb some, but not all of the heat, so that it still allows the individual to feel some warmth.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to heat diffusers for beverage cups. More particularly, the present invention relates to teacup heat diffusers. More particularly, the present invention relates to traditional teacups made from materials such as cast iron, bone, clay, ceramic and other similar materials without a handle.

Tea has been around since the 10th Century according to the earliest written records. It can be served hot or cold. While serving the beverage hot, issues arise from the heat from the material that the cup is constructed from. One of those problems is the individual holding the cup has no shield from the heat and the cup is too hot to hold. If the individual waits until the cup has cooled, so has the tea.

Designs seen in prior art for shielding the heat from an individual holding a cup are made for beverage cups that are not decorative-shaped teacups made from cast iron, bone, clay, ceramic, or other similar materials. Prior art designs are geared for the disposable paper cup trend and are designed as sleeves that are fitted around the beverage cup. Generally, individuals who purchase traditional non-handled tea sets take great pains to choose what is aesthetically pleasing and would not want to place a sleeve over the cup, thus covering the design.

Accordingly, the need for a heat diffuser that is compatible with traditional non-handled teacups and is aesthetically appealing is needed. This invention is directed at fulfilling this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an objective of the invention to provide a heat diffuser for traditional cast iron, bone, ceramic, clay, or similar material teacups without handles. It is an objective of the invention to be aesthetically pleasing and not interfere with the design or pattern on the teacup. The invention acts as a coaster that sits atop the saucer or surface and will not cradle the cup until it is lifted up.

The heat diffuser lays underneath the teacup until ready to be used. When an individual wishes to take a drink, they will initiate lifting the heat diffuser with the cup creating a cradle of the insulated fabric fingers around the cup. This cradle can be achieved by using one or two hands and can accommodate most common positions that an individual may use to hold the cup. Once the diffuser is fully engaged around the teacup, the individual will feel warmth, but the cup will not be too hot to hold.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a completed rendering of the heat diffuser as it is laid flat and not in use as seen from the top.

FIG. 2 illustrates the layout of the fingers used to make the sections to be used in the final heat diffuser.

FIG. 3 illustrates the basic materials used to make the fingers in the heat diffuser.

FIG. 4 illustrates the heat diffuser under a teacup, as seen from the top, ready for use.

FIG. 5 a illustrates the heat diffuser in use, cradling the teacup, once lifted by an individual.

FIG. 5 b illustrates another position the individual can use to hold the diffuser and teacup.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description of the heat diffuser is of one particular preferred embodiment created for specific, traditional, non-handled tea cups made from cast iron, bone, clay, ceramic, or other similar materials.

FIG. 1 illustrates the finished invention 1. As clearly indicated in FIGS. 1-3, the heat diffuser is comprised of one or more insulated fabric fingers 3.

The insulated fabric fingers 3 are created by layering one or more pieces of fabric 4 (preferably 4¼ inch triangles) with one or more insulating components 5 (preferably 4¼ inch triangles). These basic components are attached together (preferably by sewing with a ¼ inch seam) to form the finished finger 3.

The fabric fingers 3 are then positioned in a way that they can be attached opposite to each other FIG. 2, preferably in a bow tie or hourglass shape. The fabric fingers 3 are secured, preferably by sewing, the fingers together, preferably in the middle where they meet to form the bow tie shape. Preferably, two of these sections 2 will be created and will be preferably 5 inches in length. These newly fused components 2 will be attached together for the final product as seen in FIG. 1.

The newly formed sections 2 created by the fused fingers 3 are preferably placed perpendicular to each other. They are secured together, preferably through top stitching 6 around the perpendicular pieces 2. Once the sections 2 are secured, the basic product 1 is complete FIG. 1 and preferably measures 5 inches by 5 inches.

FIG. 4 illustrates the heat diffuser at rest under a teacup. The heat diffuser is not in use until the individual lifts the heat diffuser with the teacup as illustrated in FIGS. 5 a-b. The heat diffuser will take the shape of and cradle the teacup, diffusing heat away from the individual's hand FIGS. 5 a-b. FIG. 5 a shows one particular method of holding the diffuser and teacup and FIG. 5 b shows another example of holding the diffuser and teacup. Typically the heat diffuser accommodates the individual's preference in holding the teacup in almost any position.

Having thus described in detail a preferred embodiment of the teacup heat diffuser of the present invention, it is to be appreciated and will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes not exemplified in the detailed description of the invention could be made without altering the inventive concepts and principles embodied therein. It is also to be appreciated that numerous embodiments incorporating only part of the preferred embodiment are possible which do not alter, with respect to those parts, the inventive concepts and principles embodied therein. The presented embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects exemplary and/or illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, and all alternate embodiments and changes to the embodiments shown herein which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the appended claims are therefore to be embraced therein. 

I claim:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: One or more fabric fingers for cradling a teacup when lifted; and One or more insulating components layered with the fabric for diffusing heat. 